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Opinion on '58 Les Paul Special please

Flogger

Active member
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
556
The insulation on the cap legs on the 58 I offed a year or so ago weren't yellow, they were more flesh or tan colored.

Also, there is a disc cap instead of one bumble bee.
 

Aloha_Ark

Active member
Joined
Apr 2, 2020
Messages
154
1956_lp_special_cavity.jpg
Above photo is from a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Special purchased from Mark's Guitar Loft. This is what a pristine cavity looks like. I believe the previous owner was Charles Daughtry, according to Mark. Useful for determining how the spaghetti tubing around each cap has aged.


DSCN1150.jpg

This photo is from one of my many JR's (not sure which year). The best test for determining if this P90 is from the right era is sound (unfortunately). Next reasonable test is to blacklight the tape around the bobbin. If it glows green/blue, chances are it's good. Some people claim they can fake the color, but who would go to all that trouble on a guitar that sells for $10K or less?
 

GibbyLover

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2017
Messages
96
Thanks for looking.
The isolation will be have been changed when they resoldered all contacts. It seems they added isolation on the the other cables too.
The price mught be right, but the the changes at the electronics might make it difficult to resell. I know guitars are not for investment, but I would prefer to get my money back, since it's quite expensive.
 

Aloha_Ark

Active member
Joined
Apr 2, 2020
Messages
154
Price is 9500€.

Gary's Classic has a bona fide 1957 SC LP Special for under $12K USD. When he says, "Fabulous sounding, Lively & Resonant", you can believe it. It's all about the music. Nothing matters but the music. (Not a direct quote from The Red Shoes, but close). I know that money AND authenticity matters, but I would aim for all three goals, if possible. My family has blown a quarter of a million dollars, and $175K (two big mistakes) in our lifetime. Is it too late to reverse the mistake?
 

GibbyLover

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2017
Messages
96
I'm in Europe. We pay 6% import and another 21% taxes, so buying in USA is too expensive
 
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JIMI55LP

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
1,589
The bridge pup cavity has been carved on the depths of the bridge side for what ever reason? I don't think the neck has been remove/reset based on the knotches in the neck pup cavity, since 3 of my single cut Specials have chipped off neck side tables on the wire channel edge. Possibly to fit the wires and braiding? Finish looks correct and original as do the P90s IMHO? The lacquer finished wire insulators may have cracked when the volume pots were changed out making them need to install newer insulation or shrink wrap?? The lacquered cloth covered wire insulators are many times very brittle when moved. My 1958 doesn't have the neoprene switch "shock ring" which is not unusual but I really wished it did? Nice looking Special!
 
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